City Sprouts

 

Track Sponsor: Eos Foundation

Founded: 2000

Current Budget: $252,000

Website: www.citysprouts.org

 

Need

Food security- access to enough nutritious food for an active, healthy life-is an ongoing issue for many families.  Even for children whose families have sufficient economic resources, good nutrition is rare.

  • In Massachusetts, an estimated 1 in 4 children is likely to be food insecure, and the incidence of food insecurity has increased 22% between 2002 and 2005.
  • Even for children whose families have sufficient economic resources, good nutrition is rare.  Across all income groups, only 9% of children (ages 7-12) and 5% of teens (ages 13-18) have a good diet, according to the 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
  • Children's diets generally decline in quality as they age, and eating habits developed in adolescence persist into adulthood
  • Children and teens eat 1/3-1/2 of their calories at school
  • Schools are mandated to address nutrition, but many are struggling to develop effective policies and practices
  • Research shows school gardens have a positive impact on lifelong healthy eating habits, attitudes toward school, academic achievement, self-esteem, social skills, and appreciation for the environment

About 

Since 2000, CitySprouts has been developing, implementing, and maintaining beautiful, resource-rich school gardens in collaboration with Cambridge, Massachusetts, public school communities. Designed as a blended in-school and out-of-school model, CitySprouts works with parents, volunteers, teachers, and other school staff to integrate its programs into existing school cirricula and to promote healthy food choices and environmental stewardship for children, youth, and families. Currently in eight public schools, CitySprouts plans to be working district-wide with all 12 K-8 schools by 2010. Based on numerous requests, CitySprouts aims to share its innovative appraoch with other dschool districts and communities in Massachusetts and beyond.

Key Accomplishments

  • Serves 12 Cambridge public schools.
  • 74% of teachers report using their school garden for teaching
  • 94% of youth interns tried new fruits, vegetables, or herbs; 67% prepared new recipes at home using garden produce
  • Recognized as outstanding with the Cambridge First Day Award in 2003 and received a Certificate of Excellence in Environmental Education in 2007 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Join the Cause

In-Kind Support

  • Two or three board members with growth management experience
  • Event space
  • Public relations services
  • Upgraded technology (software and hardware)
  • Printing/copying services

Financial Support

$50,000 Garden Coordinators at five schools
$5,000
 Create a new school garden at a public school
$1,000 Stipends for 10 youth interns

Learn More

Want to learn more about City Sprouts? 
View their full Social Innovation Forum prospectus here.

Contact Information

Jane Hirschi
Executive Director
617-349-6562 x208
jhirschi@citysprouts.org

www.mtwyouth.org